Colby Covington
Chaos
USA
Notifies UFC of retirement
Covington has informed the UFC that he intends to retire from active competition, MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Covington will hang up the gloves at the age of 38, having last competed in December of 2024 and ending his UFC run on back-to-back losses. At his peak, Covington rode a five-fight winning streak to an interim lightweight title fight against Rafael dos Anjos, which he won, but he failed in three later opportunities to become the undisputed UFC Welterweight Champion. Always willing to play the heel, Covington was among the best when it came to selling a fight, but he remains a bit of a "what-if" story due to the fact he had many long bouts of inactivity through some of the peak years of his fighting prime.
Covington will hang up the gloves at the age of 38, having last competed in December of 2024 and ending his UFC run on back-to-back losses. At his peak, Covington rode a five-fight winning streak to an interim lightweight title fight against Rafael dos Anjos, which he won, but he failed in three later opportunities to become the undisputed UFC Welterweight Champion. Always willing to play the heel, Covington was among the best when it came to selling a fight, but he remains a bit of a "what-if" story due to the fact he had many long bouts of inactivity through some of the peak years of his fighting prime.
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No-shows Tampa main event
Covington lost to Joaquin Buckley via TKO (doctor stoppage) at 4:42 of Round 3 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Tampa, Florida.
ANALYSIS
Covington certainly appeared to be a live underdog in this fight on the strength of his wrestling and elite cardio. Buckley has a history of gassing out, and Colby may have been able to take advantage of that. It never materialized. Set to turn 37 years old in February, Covington looks like a shell of his former self. He's getting hit more than ever and appears to have less energy than ever. He was credited with one successful takedown on eight attempts. Colby was hammered on the feet throughout the bout, and the doctor finally pulled the plug late in Round 3 after referee Dan Miragliotta asked her to look at Covington's damaged eye. What's next for Colby remains to be seen, but he's no longer in the title conversation at 170 pounds.
Covington certainly appeared to be a live underdog in this fight on the strength of his wrestling and elite cardio. Buckley has a history of gassing out, and Colby may have been able to take advantage of that. It never materialized. Set to turn 37 years old in February, Covington looks like a shell of his former self. He's getting hit more than ever and appears to have less energy than ever. He was credited with one successful takedown on eight attempts. Colby was hammered on the feet throughout the bout, and the doctor finally pulled the plug late in Round 3 after referee Dan Miragliotta asked her to look at Covington's damaged eye. What's next for Colby remains to be seen, but he's no longer in the title conversation at 170 pounds.
Booked for UFC Tampa
Covington will fight Joaquin Buckley at UFC Tampa on Dec. 14, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Covington will act as a replacement for Ian Garry, who has been added to the card for UFC 310 against Shavkat Rakhmonov. The 36-year-old Covington dropped his most recent bout against Leon Edwards and has lost three of his last five, so momentum will certainly not be on his side against Buckley, who has won five straight fights.
Covington will act as a replacement for Ian Garry, who has been added to the card for UFC 310 against Shavkat Rakhmonov. The 36-year-old Covington dropped his most recent bout against Leon Edwards and has lost three of his last five, so momentum will certainly not be on his side against Buckley, who has won five straight fights.
No-shows title fight
Covington came up short in his quest for the UFC Welterweight Championship on Saturday, falling to Leon Edwards via unanimous decision (46-49, 46-49, 46-49) at UFC 296 in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Covington hadn't fought in more than a year and a half, but it might as well been 20 years. This was one of the worst performances we have seen in a title fight in recent memory. Colby thrives on pace, but he spent nearly all of this one standing around and doing nothing. In the rare instances in which he was able to get Leon to the mat, the latter managed to get back up. Octagon rust is a real thing, but Covington looked so bad in this fight it makes you wonder if he entered with some sort of a serious injury. He didn't mention anything in his post-fight interview and said he felt fine, which is baffling. Colby will be 36 years of age next February. His shtick only works if he's winning fights. He has now come up short in three title fights and has exactly one victory dating back to September 2020. That was over the since-retired Jorge Masvidal.
Covington hadn't fought in more than a year and a half, but it might as well been 20 years. This was one of the worst performances we have seen in a title fight in recent memory. Colby thrives on pace, but he spent nearly all of this one standing around and doing nothing. In the rare instances in which he was able to get Leon to the mat, the latter managed to get back up. Octagon rust is a real thing, but Covington looked so bad in this fight it makes you wonder if he entered with some sort of a serious injury. He didn't mention anything in his post-fight interview and said he felt fine, which is baffling. Colby will be 36 years of age next February. His shtick only works if he's winning fights. He has now come up short in three title fights and has exactly one victory dating back to September 2020. That was over the since-retired Jorge Masvidal.
Title fight scheduled
Covington will fight Leon Edwards at UFC 296, Aaron Bronsteter of TSN Sports reports.
ANALYSIS
After being the backup for Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman's fight this past March, Covington will get his long-awaited shot at the welterweight title. The last time he fought, he defeated Jorge Masvidal via unanimous decision after dropping back-to-back matches with Kamaru Usman.
After being the backup for Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman's fight this past March, Covington will get his long-awaited shot at the welterweight title. The last time he fought, he defeated Jorge Masvidal via unanimous decision after dropping back-to-back matches with Kamaru Usman.
Backup for title fight
Covington made weight as the backup fighter for Saturday's welterweight title fight between Kamaru Usman and Leon Edwards at UFC 286 in London, MMAJunkie.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Covington hasn't been in the Octagon since his unanimous decision victory over Jorge Masvidal in March of 2022, but he's in London this weekend as a reserve option for the welterweight title. He's unlikely to be needed with Usman and Edwards both weighing in at exactly 170 pounds with no apparent issues, but it's a good indication Covington is in line for another title shot versus whomever is victorious Saturday.
Covington hasn't been in the Octagon since his unanimous decision victory over Jorge Masvidal in March of 2022, but he's in London this weekend as a reserve option for the welterweight title. He's unlikely to be needed with Usman and Edwards both weighing in at exactly 170 pounds with no apparent issues, but it's a good indication Covington is in line for another title shot versus whomever is victorious Saturday.